Impact-Resistant Hydrogels by Harnessing 2D Hierarchical Structures

Liang，Xiangyu1,2,3; Chen，Guangda1; Lei，Iek Man1; Zhang，Pei1; Wang，Zeyu4; Chen，Xingmei1; Lu，Mengze5; Zhang，Jiajun1; Wang，Zongbao4; Sun，Taolin5; Lan，Yang6; Liu，Ji1,7,8

2022

10.1002/adma.202207587

ADVANCED MATERIALS   Impact Factor & Quartile

0935-9648

1521-4095

With the strengthening capacity through harnessing multi-length-scale structural hierarchy, synthetic hydrogels hold tremendous promise as a low-cost and abundant material for applications demanding unprecedented mechanical robustness. However, integrating high impact resistance and high water content, yet superior softness, in a single hydrogel material still remains a grand challenge. Here, a simple, yet effective, strategy involving bidirectional freeze-casting and compression-annealing is reported, leading to a hierarchically structured hydrogel material. Rational engineering of the distinct 2D lamellar structures, well-defined nanocrystalline domains and robust interfacial interaction among the lamellae, synergistically contributes to a record-high ballistic energy absorption capability (i.e., 2.1 kJ m), without sacrificing their high water content (i.e., 85 wt%) and superior softness. Together with its low-cost and extraordinary energy dissipation capacity, the hydrogel materials present a durable alternative to conventional hydrogel materials for armor-like protection circumstances.

2D lamellar structures ballistic resistance crystalline materials hydrogels impact resistance

SCI

English

NI Journal Papers

First ; Corresponding

Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province["2022A1515010152","2020A1515110288"] ; Basic Research Program of Shenzhen["JCYJ20210324105211032","GJHZ20210705141809030"] ; Shenzhen Science and Technology Program[RCBS20210609103713046] ; Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality[ZDSYS20200811143601004] ; MechERE Centers at MIT and SUSTech[Y01346002]

Chemistry ; Science & Technology - Other Topics ; Materials Science ; Physics

Chemistry, Multidisciplinary ; Chemistry, Physical ; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology ; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary ; Physics, Applied ; Physics, Condensed Matter

WOS:000888911600001

WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH

MATERIALS SCIENCE

2-s2.0-85142195680

Scopus

1.Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
2.Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Shenzhen,518120,China
3.Institute of Bast Fiber Crops and Center of Southern Economic Crops,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Changsha,410205,China
4.Ningbo Key Laboratory of Specialty Polymers,Faculty of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering,Ningbo University,Ningbo,315211,China
5.South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology,South China University of Technology,Guangzhou,510641,China
6.Department of Chemical Engineering,University College London,London,WC1E 7JE,United Kingdom
7.Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robotics and Intelligent Systems,Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
8.Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Human-Augmentation and Rehabilitation Robotics in Universities,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China

Liang，Xiangyu,Chen，Guangda,Lei，Iek Man,et al. Impact-Resistant Hydrogels by Harnessing 2D Hierarchical Structures[J]. ADVANCED MATERIALS,2022.

Liang，Xiangyu.,Chen，Guangda.,Lei，Iek Man.,Zhang，Pei.,Wang，Zeyu.,...&Liu，Ji.(2022).Impact-Resistant Hydrogels by Harnessing 2D Hierarchical Structures.ADVANCED MATERIALS.

Liang，Xiangyu,et al."Impact-Resistant Hydrogels by Harnessing 2D Hierarchical Structures".ADVANCED MATERIALS (2022).